The band formed in December of 1996, originally consisting of Skiba, Rob Doran (bass/vocals), and Glenn Porter (drums/vocals). 1997 saw the release of the band's first EP, Sundials. This was followed shortly after by the departure of Doran. He was replaced by Andriano, who had been the singer for Tuesday and bassist for the ska band Slapstick. The band released their second EP, entitled For Your Lungs Only, in 1998, which began to build them a sizable fan base in the American Midwest. Later that year, they released their first full-length album, Goddamnit, followed by Maybe I'll Catch Fire in 2000. Both were released on Asian Man Records. Also in 2000, the band released a collection of their previously-released EPs on a self-titled album.
Following the success of their Asian Man releases, Alkaline Trio signed to Vagrant. Joined by new drummer Mike Felumlee (previously of the Smoking Popes), From Here to Infirmary was released in 2001. It was their first album to see any interest from alternative radio and the mainstream media, with the semi-hit punk single "Stupid Kid" and the inclusion of the song "Armageddon" on the Tony Hawk's Underground as well as Tony Hawks American Wasteland video games. Their cover of "Over at the Frankenstein Place" was included in the compilation The Rocky Horror Punk Rock Show, an album made to pay tribute to the movie The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
After the release, Felumlee left the band too and was replaced by Grant, previously of The Suicide Machines.
Their next full-length album was Good Mourning, released in 2003, with the album's launch single "We've Had Enough" seeing a considerable amount of commercial success. The album was a significant departure from earlier works, featuring greater production value and a noticeable move toward a more mainstream sound.
The band has also appeared on various compilation albums, notably Plea for Peace Vol. 1 and Rock Against Bush Vol. 1. Skiba and Andriano have both independently recorded split records, Skiba with Kevin Seconds on Asian Man Records and Andriano with Mike Felumlee on Double Zero Records, as well as jointly performing backing vocal duties on the album This is Unity Music by Common Rider. They have also recorded two split EPs with bands who are no longer together: one with Hot Water Music in 2000 and the other with One Man Army in 2004.
Alkaline Trio released their fifth studio album on Vagrant Records, entitled Crimson, on May 24, 2005, which featured the single "Time to Waste." The single for this song also included bonus tracks produced by Mass Giorgini. The tracks "Mercy Me" and "Burn" have also been released as singles from the album.
In 2004 Andriano became a member of The Falcon, a super-group of consisting of The Lawrence Arms' bassist/co-vocalist Brendan Kelly (with who he had played with in Slapstick), and Neil Hennessy, drummer from The Lawrence Arms. The band released a 5-song EP in 2004, and its first full-length Unicornography in September of 2006.
In 2006 Matt Skiba collaborated with Josiah Steinbrick for the band Heavens.
In 2008 Alkaline Trio released Agony & Irony on Epic Records. The album charted at #13 on the Billboard 200.
Alkaline Trio's 7th studio album, This Addiction,was released on February 23rd 2010. This was their first album under their own label, Heart & Skull, an offshoot of Epitaph, and the album debuted at #11 on the Billboard 200, making it the highest the band has ever charted to date.
Alkaline Trio's eighth studio album, Damnesia,, was released July 12, 2011. Consisting of "a selection of beloved fan favorites selected from the group's extensive catalogue and presented in an intimate semi-unplugged format", the album also included two new songs, "Olde English 800" and "I Remember a Rooftop", as well as a cover version of the Violent Femmes' "I Held Her in My Arms".
On April 2nd, 2013, Alkaline Trio released "My Shame Is True".
On August 31st, 2013, Alkaline Trio released "Is This Thing Cursed?".
On June 8th, 2023, longtime drummer Derek Grant left the band due to mental health reasons and intentions to pursue music production as well as graphic design. He was replaced by Atom Willard, formerly of bands such as Rocket from the Crypt and Against Me!. The band then released the single, "Blood, Hair, and Eyeballs" on October 17th, 2023, and announced an album of the same name due for a release date of January 26th, 2024.
I'm Dying Tomorrow
Alkaline Trio Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In this house, this street, Chicago
I'm dying tomorrow
Did I, did I do it right?
Did I remember to sleep in
Take lots of pills
Commit Irreversible sins?
At least try to kiss the prettiest girl
At the right time?
Did I remember to keep your beer as full as mine
Did I, did I remember to say cheers
Did I, did I at least try
To make sure everybody had a good time?
Had the best time
I'm dying tomorrow
In this house, this street, Chicago
I'm dying tomorrow
Did I, did I do it right?
Did I remember to stay up late
Drinking for the fun
Singing for the taste
Did I, did I
Run outside to kiss the rain
Underneath electrical skies?
Did I, did I remember to keep your beer as full as mine
Did I remember to say cheers
Did I, did I at least try to make sure everybody had a good time?
Had the best time
I'm dying tomorrow
In this house, this street, Chicago
I'm dying tomorrow
Did I do it right?
The song “I’m Dying Tomorrow” by Alkaline Trio is a reflection on life and the choices one makes before the end. With the repetition of the key lyric, “Did I do it right?”, the song serves as a contemplation on past actions and whether they were fulfilling or not. The lyrics suggest a sense of regret or nostalgia for missed opportunities, but also a pride in personal accomplishments. The song’s setting in Chicago and mentions of beer, pills, and irreparable sins create a somber and reflective tone, as if the singer is coming to terms with their past.
The first verse incorporates a series of questions and if and then statements, demonstrating the singer’s pondering and uncertainty about their life choices. They question their remembered activities, asking if they “at least tried” during their time. The next verse highlights the same sense of uncertainty, questioning whether they enjoyed life in the way they wanted to. The lyrics suggest that they drank and sang for the fun of it, but as the singer is on their deathbed, they wonder whether it was enough. It’s clear that the singer doesn’t want to regret anything as they approach their final moments, but it’s unclear whether they feel as though they’ve done “it” right.
Overall, the song “I’m Dying Tomorrow” is a meditation on life's meaning, the choices we make, and how we measure personal success, all through the lens of an impending death. The repetition of, “Did I do it right?” emphasizes the sense that life is something to be evaluated at the end and encourages the listener to consider how they want to look back on their life when their time comes.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm dying tomorrow
The singer is reflecting on their impending death, which they have reason to believe will happen tomorrow.
In this house, this street, Chicago
The singer is specifically in Chicago and reflecting on their surroundings and environment as they think about their impending death.
Did I, did I do it right?
The singer is questioning whether they've lived their life correctly and fulfilled their desires.
Did I remember to sleep in
The artist is pondering if they took the time to enjoy leisurely activities and rest.
Take lots of pills
The artist is wondering if they indulged in hedonistic and possibly dangerous behaviors.
Commit Irreversible sins?
The singer is questioning if they have done irreversible harm on themselves or others.
Did I, did I at least try to kiss the prettiest girl
The singer wonders if they took chances in romantic relationships, especially with individuals they were attracted to.
At the right time?
The artist is questioning if they choose the best moments to act on their passions and romantic interests.
Did I remember to keep your beer as full as mine
The artist is contemplating if they were considerate and generous to their friends.
Did I, did I remember to say cheers
The artist is considering if they took the time and effort to celebrate with those around them.
Did I, did I at least try to make sure everybody had a good time?
The singer is thinking about putting forth effort to ensure that everyone around them was having a good time.
Had the best time
Despite the artist's imminent death, they want to ensure that they have no regrets about the life they lived and the moments they shared with others.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: DANIEL MICHAEL ANDRIANO, MATTHEW THOMAS SKIBA, MIKE FELUMLEE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind